Former Gophers QB MarQueis Gray hopes tight end is his path to NFL

Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray (5) runs against Western Michigan during the first half of their game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

Former University of Minnesota quarterback and wide receiver MarQueis Gray has been working out in anticipation of this week's NFL draft. He doesn't know when or if he will be drafted, but he has been hearing from a number of teams that believe his best shot at making an NFL roster is as a tight end.

It makes sense.

Gray is 6 feet 3, 245 pounds, ran 40 yards in 4.65 seconds at the Gophers' pro day and notes he did that with a lingering ankle injury. That's decent size and speed for a tight end. And he does have good hands. Although he didn't do much blocking with the Gophers, he spent several weeks working on that with former Minnesota and NFL tight end Ben Utecht.

I talked with Gray on Monday, April 22.

BS: What have you been hearing from NFL teams?

MG: Teams have said they'd look at me at all three positions but mainly tight end. I've been working on blocking. That's something I haven't had to do. And I'm getting into the three-point stance.

BS: What have you learned from working out with Ben Utecht?

MG: I've learned so much. I thought I wouldn't be able to get out of a three-point stance. He's taught me and I'm farther along than I thought I would be. We made a DVD and sent it to teams and we've gotten a lot of feedback. We sent it to all the teams and it's on YouTube, too.

BS: Is blocking what concerns you most?

MG: I'm just starting to block. I have to get ready for it.

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I know it will be a challenge. I'll bring my lunch pail. I just think the worst and hope for the best.

BS: Are you OK with being drafted as a tight end?

MG: Yeah. If I'm getting drafted, who am I to say where I should play? I've told teams at the combine and the (Texas vs. the Nation) all-star game and (Gophers) pro day it's wherever they want me.

BS: Are you baffled why teams aren't looking at you as a quarterback or wide receiver?

MG: I've had some say I could play there (at quarterback or wide receiver). When they come in, they look at my receiver highlights from my sophomore year and they love that one. That's mainly teams that want me to go to receiver. I've put more muscle on and so I can be an H-back type.

BS: Have you been bulking up to play tight end?

MG: I'm just trying to maintain because I'm hearing different things from different people, and I don't want to get too big.

BS: Be as objective as you can and give me the scouting report on MarQueis Gray?

MG: Big, physical guy who has an ability to play a few positions. As I look at it, I can save roster space because I can play a few positions. Hopefully, coaches look at it that way. Hopefully, I'll get my named called in the draft.

BS: Would you be OK if you don't get drafted but you signed with an NFL team as a free agent?

MG: My main concern is to make a roster spot. If I don't get drafted, I'm confident I can go to a team and make a roster spot.

BS: Which NFL tight end would you most closely resemble?

MG: If I had to say, it would be (New England's Aaron) Hernandez. He's been doing a great job.

BS: Wherever you land, will you be sure to remind teams you can play quarterback?

MG: I was thinking about this the other day. If they're lacking depth at quarterback, I may go out there and impress them. But I'm there to play wherever they want me. I'm not going to try to force myself.

BS: How many teams have contacted you?

MG: I've heard from 13, 14 teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars called me twice, and the New York Jets said they'd have their receiver coach and tight end coach call me this week. Teams are asking for my phone number so they can reach me on draft day. They say, "You look good on film and we like you a lot."

BS: If you don't get an offer you like, will you consider playing in the CFL, where you might get a shot at being a quarterback?

MG: Anything is possible. Hopefully, this NFL thing works out. If not, I'm open to going to another level.